Crowfall (Raven's Mark #3) by Ed McDonald

Crowfall is a gritty epic fantasy for fans of Mark Lawrence, Scott Lynch, and Daniel Polansky.

'Dark, twisty and excellent...Grimdark with heart' Mark Lawrence.

A sorceress cataclysm has hit the Range, the final defensive line between the Republic and the immortal Deep Kings. 

Tormenting red rains sweep the land, new monstrosities feed on fear in the darkness, and the power of the Nameless, the gods who protect the Republic, lies broken. The Blackwing captains who serve them are being picked off one by one, and even immortals have learned what it means to die. Meanwhile, the Deep Kinds have only grown stronger and are poised to deliver a blow that will finally end the war. 

Ryhalt Galharrow stands apart from it all.

He has been deeper into the wasteland known as the Misery than ever before. It has grown within him - changed him - but all power comes with a price, and now the ghosts of his past, formerly confined to the Misery, walk with him everywhere.

They will even follow him, and the few surviving Blackwing captains, on one final mission into the darkness.

Review

First of all, if you have not read the first two book in this series, please check out my reviews for Blackwing (book #1) and Ravencry (book #2) first! I will try not to give away too many spoilers from the first 2 books in this review, but it may happen. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. 

              

Too many endings right now! First this one, then Broken Veil, the last book in the Harbinger series, by Jeff Wheeler. I definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters in either series. 

The first books in this series were awesome, so I had very high expectations going into this book. I truthfully was a little worried that it might not live up to my expectations, especially after certain characters died in the last book. I won't give up any spoilers though, in case you haven't read the first two books, year. However, again, if you haven't read the first two books, please stop reading this and go do that now, or at least check out my review of the first book HERE. 

I was impressed with how well the author did the last book in the series. Everything is pretty well wrapped up but still had the same all-around weirdness, just like the rest of the series. There was actually some crazy, new weirdness in this book that was pretty awesome. I wasn't sure how Ed McDonald was going to out-do the last ones, but he definitely did it.

Although some old friends were gone during this book, some other old friends reappeared, which made me really happy. I won't talk about that, though. Definitely don't want to spoil that! You should probably just go read the book!

I love Ed McDonald's humor! While this book does have some dark moments, and some gory moments, and some (a lot) of weird moments, there is also humor sprinkled in there, as well. 

Thank you to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Winging It (Destiny Rules #1) by Lisa Gail Green Book Blitz & $20 Amazon GiftCard Giveaway

Winging It
Lisa Gail Green
(Destiny Rules, #1)
Publication date: March 30th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Zach discovers his mom is a fairy godmother. But what’s really freaking him out is the fact that he’s a fairy too. Now that his mom’s been injured, he must finish her assignments before the next full moon or they’re both grounded, meaning no wings, no wands, and no position in the Organization of Destiny Fulfillment (ODF). Sure it would suck to lose his newfound powers, but Zach quickly learns there’s far more at stake. Failure also means messing up the lives of the people he’s supposed to help.
Forever.
Between a fairy-trainee who happens to be the girl he’s been in love with since fifth grade, a boss he doesn’t trust, and a gremlin physics teacher that wants to eat him, Zach’s pretty sure even a magic wand can’t bail him out.
Winging It has been a featured book on WATTPAD and here are just a few of the comments from readers:
“ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! BRAVO BRAVO! I sincerely, really loved this book. What was funny is I went out on a wing from werewolf and tried out fantasy and I love it. Your book inspires me to read more fantasy. Excellent story telling.”
“Amazing, absolutely amazing. What a beautiful ending.”
“I love this ending! It leaves just enough loose ends that imagination can fill in the gaps. Whatever happens next, I’m glad I somehow found this amazing book!”
“This was one of the best books I’ve ever read please make a sequel!!”
“I really enjoyed the book! And i spent like two whole days reading it.. i couldnt put it down at all XD
And like everyone else if like to read a sequel… soo….SEQUEL!!”

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Slipping in a puddle under the broken water fountain should teach me to stop gawking at Jenna Macintyre, but I know it won’t. I fell for her when we were ten, and in the six years since, I’ve continued to fall. And stutter. And make an ass out of myself in general.
“Good one, Zachy,” she says, leaning down so that her golden hair swings in my face. She flicks my shoulder, sending shivers down all my nerve endings, straightens up, and heads off toward whatever her next class is. If I had any guts at all I’d call her on all the humiliating things she’s ever said to me, but I don’t. Instead, I wonder if she moves that way on purpose.
Her gaggle of wannabes follow in her wake, blocking the view. Their laughter bounces back down the hall even after I hear the door close behind them.
It’s only after the final bell rings that I realize I should probably breathe if I want to avoid passing out and drowning in an inch of water. So, I shake myself and stand up, leaning on Emmet. I almost forgot he was there. I groan when I feel the heavy material of my soaked jeans clinging to my legs. Nice.
“Loitering now I see, Mr. Slater.” My sixth period Physics teacher’s voice nearly makes me slip again.
“But-” I start.
“Save it for someone who cares. Get to your next class or I’ll be happy to send you to detention.” Mr. Crown slides his Coke bottle glasses up the bridge of his nose and curls his thin upper lip in distaste.
“I had an accident,” I say in a rush.
He raises his eyebrows, taking in my pants, and heat floods my face.
“Not that kind of accident. I slipped in the hall because of the broken fountain.” I ought to threaten to sue.
“That’s what happens when you run in the hallways.”
Is he serious? I draw my hands down over my face, trying to collect myself. “Fine. I’m going,” I say, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.
“Watch that attitude.” He slams the door to his room, and I flip him off before turning back to Emmet, the only other person left in the now deserted hall.
“Take good notes,” I say. “I’m out of here.”
“Thank God,” Emmet says. “I thought you were going to actually go to class like that for a minute.”

Author Bio:
Lisa Gail Green writes paranormal and fantasy because she loves to bring life to the stories in her head. WINGING IT, Book 1 of her new YA fantasy series, Destiny Rules, is NOW available. Sign up for her newsletter for more deals and info at LisaGailGreen.com. Oh -- and she would most definitely have a werewolf for a pet if she weren't allergic.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake

Katya's power to freeze anything she touches has made her an outcast in her isolated village. And when she loses control of her ability, accidentally killing several villagers, she is banished to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev.

At the castle, though, she is surprised to find that Sasha is just like her- with his own strange talent, the ability to summon fire. Instead of punishment, Sasha offers Katya friendship, and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it. 

But outside the walls of Kiev, Sasha's enemies have organized their own army of people who can control the very earth. Bent on taking over the entire world, they won't stop until they've destroyed everything.

Katya and Sasha are desperate to stop the encroaching army, and together, their powers are a fearsome weapon. But as their enemies draw nearer, leaving destruction in their wake, will fire and frost be enough to save the world? Or will they lose everything they hold dear? 

Review

I didn't know what to think about this book at first, but it turned out to be great!

I first found an interest in Russian fairy tales and folklore in The Bear and the Nightengale and the rest of the Winternight trilogy. So, it was a great surprise that this book was also based on Slavic fairytales and incorporated some of the same elements.

Lol, if I had read the excerpt from the author's website, I would have known that though. It likens this book to "The Bear and the Nightingale meets Frostblood."

The author did a good job at world building and character development. I love the way the main character progressed throughout the book. Although a couple of times I caught myself thinking that she was being a little redundant about something, it really made me think about how that is likely really how the character would think and feel in that situation.

I would love to read more of this story! I'm not sure if there will be a sequel, though. On GoodReads, the author answered a question from a reader, saying it is a standalone. However, the ending definitely leaves room for the author to continue the story. There are so many different ways she can go with it! I so hope she does!

When looking that up, I also just found out that the author wrote another book, called Beyond a Darkened Shore, which tells the story of a couple of the characters that make an appearance in this book, Ciara and Leif.

So, while I really hope that the author writes a sequel, I plan to read Beyond a Darkened Shore while I wait to see if she will. Check out a synopsis of it below!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

The ancient land of Eirinn is Mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Eirinn's kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.

The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara's unearthly ability to control her enemies minds and actions. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Eirinn, but the entire world.

Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara's enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he's something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara's strength in battle, the twy might have a chance to save their world.

With evil rising around them, they'll do what it takes to defend the land they love...even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.

I mean, how awesome does that sound?!?!? I'm going to try to get a copy now. You should do the same (after you get your copy of Through the White Wood, of course)!

Shade (The Shade #1) by Marilyn Peake

Finalist in the 2015 National Indie Excellence Book Awards, Young Adult Fiction category. 

 Thanks to her offbeat mother, Shade's full name is Galactic Shade Griffin. Having a name like that while being the new girl in school is pretty much catnip for bullies. The summer before Shade's junior year of high school, her mother breaks up with yet another boyfriend and moves them once again to a new town.

This time, they move into a dilapidated old house where Shade has an entire attic bedroom to herself-at least until she discovers it's haunted by the ghost of a teenaged boy named Brando Yates. When Shade's best friend goes missing, her life becomes even more complicated. With the help of Brandon who's struggling with his own issues in the world beyond, Shade faces the question of whether or not she has what it takes to become a true hero.

Although this novel deals with a number of serious issues - drug and alcohol abuse, cutting, and disturbing world events - it's primarily a novel about a teenaged girl finding out who she really is and that she's capable of so much more than she ever thought possible. 

Shade is a Young Adult Paranormal Mystery novel. 

Review

I've been getting Marilyn Peake's emails for a while but had never read any of her books, so when I got an email about joining her ARC team, I jumped on the opportunity to check out some of her work.

This book is about Galactic Shade Griffin, aka Shade, a teenager with a drug and alcohol addicted mother who has just broken up with yet another boyfriend and moved her and her daughter yet again. This time, her mother moves them into a haunted house. When girls start going missing from Shade's school, the ghosts help solve the case.  

The amount of mature, potentially triggering topics in what I assumed was a light-hearted YA fantasy book was really surprising. Pretty quickly into the book, Shade starts cutting herself. She then sees a ghost, and the knife is flung from her hand and her arms are healed. The ghost tells her that she should do art instead of cutting herself. 

In some ways, I would think this book should be considered Middle Grade, because of the writing and the maturity of some of the characters. However, there were many topics that were completely inappropriate for MG books, like human trafficking and abortion.

I'm not sure what else to say about this book. It was kind of over the place, I am interested in checking out some of the author's other work, though. Next, I am going to try The Other, which is supposed to be a sci-fi book that features aliens. The reviews on GoodReads are much more positive than they are for this book, so I'm hopeful. I'll let you know what I think! 

I received a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. 

The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh

One Life to One Dawn.
In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.
Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?
Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end.

Ok, so I have a bunch of books that I have to read and review, and a have a few that I have already read, and I need to post my review.  However, I got my promotion at work!!!! And I am still taking classes, working on my masters.... which leads to less time reading and blogging...

However, I have wanted to read this book for a while, so when I came across a copy, I jumped at the opportunity, and read it in 2 days.

And it did not disappoint! Even though some of the aspects left a bad taste in my mouth, as a fictional series, it kept me engaged throughout its entirety. 

I know this is a short review, but I felt the need to post something about it. 

READ IT! It's awesome!

I will have to watch out for future work from Renee Ahdieh! Beautiful writing! 

I'm also kind of glad that I waited to so long to read it, because the squeal, The Rose and the Dagger, is going to be released in a week or so. Even though I was a little disappointed, because I thought that the sequel had already been released, over the past week or two... I was a little sad, because when I finished, I was planning on immediately starting with the next one.....

But alas, I will have to wait a few days to continue....

I guess I will just have to work on homework tomorrow instead... : (